Abstract:
According to halacha, Jewish law, Jews must avoid the religious practices of other faiths. If an activity is considered avodah zara – literally “strange worship,” it can lead to soul punishments ranging from personal misfortune to eternal damnation, our teachings say. Yoga, a popular form of exercise derived from a Hindu mystical practice, has the potential to be objectionable to strict interpreters of Jewish law, raising the question: what exactly classifies as “strange worship” in the context of yoga? The goal of this thesis is to thoroughly explore the history and practices of yoga from the perspective of Jewish law, so as to help Jewish yoga practitioners come to their own understanding of what their faith has to say, and how they can authentically respond to these issues. Its conclusion: “It is perfectly possible to develop a Jewish Yoga practice that is kosher: not syncretistic or heretical, not ignorant or anachronistic, but authentically, deeply, respectfully Jewish, and therefore, kadosh, holy, for Jews.”